Snacking is a weakness for many of us and is often the reason so many of us gain weight in the first place! But, snacking doesn’t have to be forbidden!
The key to still being able to snack when on a diet is to pick the right snacks and one of our favourite healthy things to snack on here at Bodyline HQ is vegetable crisps!
Often thought of as modern and a little bit fancy, vegetable crisps are actually a great alternative to your classic potato crisps with less carbohydrates, fats and often more fibre and protein. Vegetable crisps don’t have to be a pricey purchase from the supermarket though, you can make them yourself at home!
We’re going to be sharing with you our top 5 vegetable crisp recipes that are quick, easy and above all, delicious!
Salty Kale Crisps
Kale may be the trendy leafy green we’re seeing all the health blogger throwing in every dish but that is for a very good reason – it is delicious and seriously good for you!
Kale is known for being one of the most nutrient-rich foods available, packed with more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in a small amount than most other vegetables, making it perfect for snacking on throughout the day.
To make your own batch of salty kale crisps, you will need:
100g Kale
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Method:
- Preheat the oven to around 150 degrees(electric)
- Cut the stalks of your kale and cut into crisp size pieces
- Wash the kale and dry thoroughly (you want to remove as much moisture as possible)
- Line 1-2 baking trays with baking paper and spread your kale across the tray(s)
- Drizzle a little olive oil across the kale (or swap for low-calorie cooking spray) and massage into the kale
- Sprinkle your sea salt across the kale and give the whole tray a good shake/mix
- Place your tray(s) in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until the kale is crisp but still green
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Store for a couple of days in an airtight container.
Paprika Sweet Potato Crisps
Add a little kick to your snack time with these sweet and smoky sweet potato crisps with a sprinkle of paprika. Sweet potatoes are the healthier sibling of the regular white potato, considered a vegetable as opposed to a carbohydrate.
Sweet potatoes are high in fibre, vitamins and particularly the anti-oxidant, beta-carotene.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato (quantity will depend on how many portions you want to make)
Olive Oil/Low Calorie Cooking Spray
Sea Salt
Paprika
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees (electric)
- Peel the sweet potato and cut into slices around 0.5cm thick or a little thinner
- Wash your slices and press as much moisture out as possible
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and spread your sweet potato slices across the tray
- Drizzle your oil or spray your low calorie spray across the slices and massage in so all are covered
- Sprinkle as much or as little paprika as you like and a little sea salt across the slices and give the whole tray a good mix to ensure everything is evenly covered
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until crisp
Honeyed Parsnip Crisps
The flavour of the classic roast dinner side dish as a snack? Yes please! Honey and parsnips go together like salt and pepper and it really is an irresistible combination!
Parsnips are high in both soluble and insoluble fibres, packed with vitamins and nutrients and are a simple yet healthy addition to add into your diet!
Ingredients
Parsnips (quantity will depend on how many servings you want)
Low Calorie Cooking Spray
Salt
Pepper
Honey
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (electric) and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
- Peel your parsnips and chop into thin slices
- Wash and drain, pressing out as much moisture as possible
- Spread across the baking tray before spraying with the low calorie cooking spray and sprinkling with salt and pepper. Give the whole tray a good mix to ensure everything is covered
- Pop in the oven for around 10-15 minutes
- Remove from the oven, drizzle the honey on and mix amongst all the slices before popping back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until crisp
- Leave to cool and crisp up and enjoy
Carrot and Beetroot Crisp Mix
Bring together two vibrantly coloured vegetables for a sensational tasting snack. The sweet taste of carrot counteracts the earthier taste of beetroot – a match made in heaven!
A simple recipe that lets their natural flavours do the talking, this carrot and beetroot crisp mix is a quick, easy and delicious snack idea!
Ingredients:
2 Carrots
1 Beetroot
Olive Oil/Low Calorie Cooking Spray
Salt
Pepper
Method:
- Preheat the oven to around 180 degrees (electric)
- Peel your carrots and slice both the beetroot and carrots into thin slices
- Wash and drain, pressing out all moisture
- Spread across a baking tray with greaseproof paper on
- Add your oil, salt and pepper and mix all the slices, ensuring everything is covered
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until all slices are crisp
Spiced Apple Crisps
Now, a slightly alternative suggestion and not technically a vegetable crisp but a similar concept – apple crisps!
If you’re not a huge fruit fan or generally finding biting into an apple too sweet, these spiced cinnamon apple crisps may be the perfect way to enjoy one of your 5 a day!
Ingredients:
2 Large Cooking Apples (such as Granny Smith)
Cinnamon
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees (electric) and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
- Remove the core from your apple and cut into thin slices
- Press all moisture out before spreading out on your baking tray
- Sprinkle on your cinnamon, mixing all the slices on the tray to ensure all are covered
- Pop in the oven for around 20-25 minutes before giving all the slices a turn over. Some may have caught and gone too dark at this point, just remove these
- Place back in the oven for another 20-30 minutes or until the slices have crisped up and gone golden brown
- Remove from the oven, leave to cool and store in an airtight container.
So, snack time really has never tasted so good! If you give any of our fruit or vegetable crisp recipes a go, be sure to share your pictures with us on social!
